Mobile dehydrator



Jan. 24, 1967 v. W. MEUKIAN 3,299,532

. MOBILE DEHYDRATOR Filed May 13, 1964 5 sheets-sheet 5 f VAUGHN W MEL/K/AN /NVENTOR mt/YM TTORNEKS United States Patent O 3,299,532 MBIILE DEHYDRATOR Vaughn W. Melikian, 5138 N. Van Ness, Fresno, Calif. 93721 Filed May 13, 1964, Ser. No. 367,131 8 Claims. (Cl. 34--195) The present invention relates toa mobile dehydrator for drying raisins and the like and more particularly to such a dehydrator which -is readily positionable in a vineyard or the like with respect to raisins or other materials to be dried. Although the dehydrator of the present invention is shown and described herein as adapted for drying raisins, it will be readily apparent that it may be used for drying other materials as well.

Raisins are conventionally disposed in trays between the rows of grapevines in a vineyard for drying by the natural rays of the sun. Frequently, before such drying process is completed, the raisins become damaged by early rains. The raisins are thus subject to a form of decay, referred to as mold, which deteriorates or destroys the crop. In order to avoid this condition, it is standard practice to remove the dampened raisins from the drying trays and to load them into boxes for transport to a commercial dehydration plant where they are artiiically dried before such decaying process begins. The articial drying is accomplished by furnace heating the raisins to a sufficiently high temperature for sometimes as long as 24 to 36 hours to cause the raisins to give up their excessive moisture while being subjected to an air blast or circulation. However, this process frequently has an adverse effect on the grade and marketability of the raisins by causing carmelization or case hardening by glazing of the raisins. Also, such commercial dehydration plants usually provide only limited facilities due to their infrequent and seasonal use. As a result, during an emergency caused by such abnormal rain and dampening of raisins, many farmers are not able to schedule their raisins into the commercial dehydrator in time to prevent damage to the crop.

Therefore, it is a broad object of the present invention to provide a mobile dehydrator for raisins and the like which may be easily positioned Within or adjacent to a vineyard so as to minimize transport of the raisins.

Another object is to provide a mobile dehydrator of the character described which effectively dries and maintains the raisins in optimum condition.

Another object of the present invention is to minimize damage and loss incident to abnormally early rains during the season for drying raisins and the like.

Another object is to provide such a mobile dehydrator which may be employed immediately during the critical drying period without delays attendant to conventional drying procedures.

Another object is to provide a mobile dehydrator which is capable of drying raisins disposed in a plurality of boxes or trays arranged in unitary stacked relation without disturbing the stack.

Another object is to provide such a mobile dehydrator which is adapted to dry raisins ina plurality of such stacks with a minimum of maneuvering of the mobile dehydrator.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will subsequently become more clearly apparent upon reference to the following description in the specification.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the mobile dehydrator of the present invention shown in an operating position encompassing :an elongated stack of raisin drying boxes indicated in dashed lines.

- FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the mobile dehydrator in the operating position of FIG. 1.

3,299,532 Patented Jan, 24, 1967 ICC FIG. 3 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section through the rearward end of the mobile dehydrator taken on line 3-3 .of FIG. l showing a heat generator and the stack of raisin boxes in side elevati-on.

FIG. 4 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section through the mobile dehydrator taken on line 4 4 of FIG. 1 showing an air circulating fan or blower disposed above the stack of raisin drying boxes.

FIG. 5 is a transverse vertical section through the mobile dehydrator taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a further enlarged fragmentary longitudinal central section through the heat generator of FIG. 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a mobile dehydrator embodying the principles of the present invention provides an elongated frame 10 having opposite forward and rearward ends 11 and 12, respectively. The frame has a pair of inverted substantially U-shaped brace members 14 and 1S individually disposed at the forward and rearward ends of the frame and an intermediate brace member 17 of similar configuration disposed intermediate the ends. As best shown in FIGS. l, 2, and 5, the brace members are interconnected by a plurality of elongated tubular longitudinally extended lbeams 18, as by welding or the like, which are arranged in spaced rectangular relation to each other when viewed in cross section transversely of the frame, as in FIG. 5.

Each of the brace members provides transversely disposed top beams 20 of tubular cross sectional construction similar to the longitudinal tubular members 18. A pair of transversely opposite side beams 22 are connected, as by welding or `the like, in transversely spaced depending relation from the ends of the top beams 20 and terminate in lower ends 23. In order to provide rigid-ity for the lower ends of the side beams, a bridging structure 25 is transversely outwardly extended from each of the side beams. The bridging structure provides a horizontal brace 26 which is transversely outwardly extended from Lits respect-ive side beam 22 at a position downwardly spaced a short distance from the top beam 20. An upper diagonal brace 27 is connected to the outer end of the horizontal brace and to the end of the top beam and a lower diagonal 4brace 28 is fastened to the outer end of the horizontal brace land at its opposite end is attached to the side beam upwardly adjacent from the lower end thereof. An intermediate beam 29 is rigidly connected between the opposite side beams 22 in a plane aligned with the opposite horizontal braces 26. A pair of inner tension bars 30 are rigidly secured in diagonally crossing relation to each other between the top beam 20 and the intermediate beam 29. A plurality of longitudinally extended side beams 32 are disposed in interconnecting relation between the forward, rearward, and intermediate brace members 14, 15 and 17 in spaced, coplanar relation with the intermediate beams 29 thereof.

The frame 10 is supported for earth traversing movement preferably on a bogie wheel assembly 35 providing a pair of wheels 36 mounted on each side of the frame on a pivot axle 37 rigidly mounted in transversely horizontally outwardly extended relation from the lower ends 23 of the intermediate Ibrace member 17. The frame is drawn during such earth travers-ing movement by a draft tongue assembly 40, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which is adapted to be connected in the usual manner to a suitable prime mover, not shown, such as a tractor, truck or the like. The draft tongue provides upper and lower arms 42. and 44 which are bolted, pinned or otherwise fastened to the side beams 22 of the forward brace member 14, as at 4S, for ready removal therefrom during operation of the mobile dehydrator as hereinafter will be described.

An elongated housing 50 having a top wall 52 and transversely opposite depending side walls 53 of substantially rigid sheet metal material is mounted within the frame 10. The side walls terminate in lower edges 54 coextensive with the lower longitudinal beams 18 lin upwardly spaced substantially parallel relation with the ground surface 56. A pair of transversely opposite elongated flaps 57 of substantially rigid sheet material similar to the material of the housing provide a lower sealing strip 58 of resiliently flexible material, such as rubber, plastic or the like, are individually hingably mounted along the lower edges 54 of the side walls for movement between an upper carrying position within the housing and a lower ground engaging sealing position, yas shown in FIG. 5. An intermediate substantially horizontal wall 60 is mounted within the housing in downwardly spaced substantially parallel relation to the top wall 52 and in edgewardly engaging relation to the intermediate beams 29 of the brace members 14, 15 and the longitudinal side beams 32. rl`he intermediate wall thereby divides the housing into an upper compartment 62 which is substantially closed by forward and rearward end walls 63 and 64 and an elongated lower compartment or tunnel 66 which is open at the rearward end of the frame.

As best shown in FIGS. l and 4, the opposite end of the tunnel 66 adjacent to the forward end 11 of the frame is adapted to be closed by a double door 68 swingably mounted on hinges 69 -on the side beams 22 of the forward brace member 14. A pair of flap members 70 having lower seal strips 72 are hingably mounted beneath the doors 68 in a manner similar to the flaps 57 on the side walls 53 of the housing 50 for sealing the forward end of the tunnel. A top flap 74 of resiliently flexible material is mounted in depending relation from the intermediate wall 60 in inwardly spaced relation from the rearward end 12 of the frame. A pair of opposite side flaps 75 are mounted on the side walls 53 of the housing in inwardly extended relation within the tunnel in a plane substantially coplanar with the top flap 74.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, a heat generator S0 is mounted in the upper compartment 62 of the housing 50 adjacent to the rearward end 12 of the frame 10. The heat generator provides an elongated tubular heat jacket 81 circumscribing a plenum chamber 82 and having a rearward end 83 in the rearward end wall 64 of the housing and an opposite forward open end 84. The heat jacket is supported on the intermediate wall 60 of the housing -by a plurality of longitudinally spaced pedestals 85. An elongated burner tube 87 is concentrically mounted within the rearward end of the jacket on a plurality of web members 88 and provides a rearward open internally screw-threaded end 90 outwardly extended from the rearward end of the jacket .and the frame. The jacket includes an opposite forward nozzle end 92 provided with a radially inwardly extendedannular flange 93 disposed substantially intermediate the ends of the jacket. As best shown in FIG. 6, an elongated nozzle adjusting tube 94 is screw-threadably mounted within the burner tube 87 for axial movement in adjustably spaced relation to the flange 93 on the forward end of the burner tube. Air is permitted to be drawn into the jacket 82 through rearward openings 97 between the webs 88 and through a plurality of openings 98 through the rearward end wall 64 around the jacket. A pair of recirculating openings 100 and 101 are formed through the intermediate wall 60 individually forwardly and rearwardly adjacent to the top flap 74. A main gas supply line 105 is connected to the burner tube adjacent to the rear end Wall 64 of the housing in communication with the annular space between the burner tube 87 and the nozzle tube 94. A valve 106 is disposed in the main gas supply line and is electrically connected to and controlled by a thermostat 107 mounted on one of the side walls 53 of the housing adjacent tothe forward end 11 of the frame, as shown in FIG. 4. A pilot light assembly 109 is mounted on the burner tube 87 adjacent to the nozzle end thereof and is provided with a manual control valve 110 for controlling the pilot light valve in the conventional manner. The heat generator is preferably of a size to deliver approximately two million B.t.u. or two thousand CFH per hour.

A squirrel cage type blower is mounted on the intermediate wall 60 within the upper compartment 62 of the housing adjacent to the forward end 11 of the frame. As best shown in FIG. 2, the blower is driven through a bell and pulley assembly 121 by a power source 122 which may be an electric motor or a gas engine, as desired. The blower draws `air inwardly thereof through its open ends which is exhausted by an elongated rotor 123 through a transversely elongated exhaust opening 124. The exhaust portionof the fan is extended through a divider wall 126 rigidly mounted in the upper compartment 62. An elongated substantially rectangular transversely extended opening 130 is formed through the intermediate walls 60 to permit the entrance of exhausted air from the blower into the tunnel 66 of the housing. Such flow of air is controlled through the opening 130 by a damper plate 132 hingably mounted beneath the intermediate wall 60. The opening of the damper is controlled by an elongated control lever 135 having a handle end 136 outwardly extended through the forward end wall 63 :of the upper compartment and an opposite inner end 137 pivotally mounted on an upstanding arm 138 on the damper. The control lever has a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures 140` therethrough which are registrable with a bolt and wing nut assembly 142 extended through the side beams 22 of the forward brace member 14 selectively to hold the damper in the desired adjusted position.

A plurality of raisin drying boxes 150 are disposed in a plurality of horizontal layers in an elongated stack 145 so as readily `to be received within the tunnel 66 of the housing 50. Such stack is preferably supported on a plurality of pallets 154. The horizontal layers of boxes on the pallets are divided by a plurality of spacer bars 156 so as to provide an elongated passage 157 between each row of boxes so that continuous communication is afforded between the forward end of the tunnel and the rearward end thereof. fEach of the boxes is filled to approximately two-thirds capacity so as to hold approximately 100 pounds of raisins and to provide ample space above the raisins in each box for permitting turbulence and complete distribution of air flowing through the passages.

OPERATION The operation of the described emb-odiment of the subject invention is believed to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at this point. After the removal of `dampened raisins `from their drying -trays in the vineyard, the raisins are deposited in the boxes l which are arranged in the elongated, above described stacks 152 in the vineyard or any other suitable area to minimize handling and transport of the raisins. A plurality of such stacks of boxes containing dampened raisins are formed as required with the stacks disposed in spaced longitudinally aligned relation with each other. During transport of the mobile dehydrator of the present n- Vention to the stacks of boxes, the side and end flaps 57 and 70 are constrained in their described upper carrying positions so as to permit free maneuverability of the dehydrator. Such transport is accomplished by attaching the draft tongue assembly 40 to the forward end 11 of the frame by the bolts 45. The outer end of the draft tongue is connected to a tractor or the like yfor positioning the dehydrator relative to one of the endmost stacks of boxes. The rearward end 12 of the frame is aligned with the endmost stack and the dehydrator is backed over the stack with the boxes thereof being Ireceived within the tunnel 66 until reaching the position shown in the drawings. In such position, the top and side flaps 74 and 75 are rested against the top and sides of the stack of boxes in sealing relation. The lower end and side wall aps 57 and 70 are lowered into ground engagement so as to seal the bottom portion of the tunnel y66.

The main gas supply line 105 is connected to a source of fuel, such as propane or butane gas which may be carried on an auxiliary trailer connected to the dehydrator or to any other available source of supply. The pilot light 109 is then lighted to ignite the heat generator 80 and the nozzle tube 94 is manually axially adjusted to provide the desired length of flame within the jacket 82. The blower 12)` is actuated and is operative to draw fresh air through the openings 97, 98, i), and 101 and through the nozzle tube 94 past the heat generator Si). During such passage of air through the upper compartment 62 in the housing, the air is heated preferably to approximately 130 F. land is caused to flow through the blower for discharge through the exhaust opening 124 thereof.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the heated drying air ilows downwardly through the opening 130 and is deiiected longitudinally toward the stack 152 of boxes 150 by the damper 132. The damper may then be adjusted by longitudinal movement of the control lever 135- and constrained in such adjusted position by fastening the bolt and wing nut assembly 142 in the desired aperture 140 thereof to insure the optimum flow of heated air into all the passages 157 between the layers of boxes 150 in the stack. Such heated air, during movement through the passages, is swirled within each of the boxes over the raisins therein and eventually is exhausted out the end of the stack adjacent to the rearward end 12 of the frame 10. A portion of such exhausted air may be drawn upwardly through the opening 101 for recirculation back through the upper compartment 62 in the housing. Also, air above the stack of boxes is returned through the opening 100 for recirculation. The remaining air exhausted outwardly of the rearward end of the frame is mixed with fresh air and a portion drawn inwardly through the openings 97, 98 in the rearward end wall 64 of the upper compartment. The desired temperature is thereafter automatically maintained by the thermostat 107 which automatically controls the supply of fuel to the heat generator.

While the use of the dehydrator is illustrated in connection with the drying of raisins in boxes, it will be apparent that they may be disposed on trays or otherwise supported in stacks for drying convenience.

After the rst stack of raisins is dried, the draft tongue assembly 40 is removed from the frame and tension members, not shown, such as elongated cables or the like, are attached to the rearward end of the frame for extension along opposite sides of the remaining stacks 152 of raisin boxes 150 t-o be dried. The free ends of the cables are connected to the vehicle or other motivating mechanism for moving the dehydrator into new operating position relative to the next stack of raisins. -Prior to such movement, the side and end flaps are again raised so as to clear any obstructions and the door 68 is opened to permit the dehydrator to .pass from the stack of dried raisins and over the next stack. As soon as the dehydrator is in operating position about the next stack of raisins, the door 6'8` is closed, the side and end flaps 57 and 70 lowered, and the heat generator `80` restarted to initiate the above described drying procedure. It is noted that with such arrangement, the open end of the frame is always adjacent to a stack of raisin boxes subsequently to be dried and the closed forward end thereof adjacent to the door `68 is sealed to prevent moisture exhaust air from being blown toward previously dried raisins.

In view of the foregoing, it is readily apparent that the structure of the present invention has provided a mobile dehydrator which is easily positioned with respect to the material to be dried. The gentle drying of the raisins by the flow of heated air thereover maintains the raisins in optimum condition and minimizes the carmelizing, case hardening, or glazing of raisins which occur during conventional artificial drying procedures. Furthermore, the dehydrator is operative to dry a plurality of stacks of raisins with a minimum of maneuvering since the dehydrator can be moved along successive aligned stacks of raisins.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A mobile dehydrator for drying raisins in boxes stacked to provide elongated passages through the stack between the boxes comprising a housing having an open bottom, opposite ends and providing a longitudinal tunnel between the ends adapted to encompass said stack of raisin boxes, ground engaging support means mounted on the housing supporting the same for longitudinal earth traversing movement with said tunnel substantially aligned with the direction of movement to permit passage of the stack therethrough for disposing the housing about successive stacks of said boxes of raisins, means mounted on one end of the housing for movement between a tunnel closing position and an open position, means for imparting longitudinal earth traversing movement to the housing, and means borne by the housing for directing a stream of drying air into the tunnel adjacent to one end of the housing and through the passages between the stack of raisin boxes for discharge out the opposite end of the housing.

2. A mobile dehydrator for drying raisins in boxes stacked to provide elongated passages through the stack between the `boxes comprising a housing having -a top and spaced depending sides defining a longitudinal tunnel therebetween, said housing including an open bottom and open opposite ends adapted to receive said stack of raisin boxes into said tunnel, ground engaging support means mounted on the sides supporting the housing for longitudinal earth traversing movement with said tunnel substantially aligned with the direction of movement to permit passage of the stack therethrough for disposing the housing about successive stacks of said boxes of raisins, a door mounted on an end of the housing for movement between a tunnel closing position and an open position, means for imparting longitudinal earth traversing movement to the housing, and means borne by the housing for directing a stream of drying air into the tunnel adjacent to the end provided with the door and through the passages between the stack of raisin boxes for discharge out the opposite end of the tunnel.

3. A mobile dehydrator for drying raisins in boxes stacked to provide elongated passages through the stack between the boxes comprising a housing having a top and spaced depending sides dening a longitudinal tunnel therebetween, said housing including an open bottom and open opposite ends, a plurality of longitudinally spaced interconnected inverted U-shaped brace members disposed in individual planes transversely of the housing and -rigidly connected thereto individually adjacent to said opposite ends of the tunnel and intermediate the ends thereof, ground engaging support means mounted in depending relation from said intermediate brace member supporting the housing for longitudinal earth traversing movement with said tunnel substantially aligned with the direction of movement to permit passage of the stack therethrough for disposing the housing about successive stacks of boxes of said raisins, a door hingably mounted on said frame members at one of said ends of the tunnel for movement between a tunnel closing position and an open position, means for imparting longitudinal earth traversing movement to the housing, and means borne by the housing for directing a stream of drying air into the tunnel adjacent to the end provided with the door and through the passages between the stack of raisin boxes for discharge -out the opposite end of the housing.

4. A mobile -dehydrator for drying raisins in boxes stacked to provide elongated passages through the stack between the boxes comprising a housing having a top and spaced depending sides defining a longitudinal tunnel therebetween, said housing including an open bottom and yopen opposite ends, a plurality of longitudinally spaced interconnected inverted U-shaped brace members disposed in individual planes transversely of the housing and `rigidly connected thereto individually adjacent to said opposite ends of the tunnel and intermediate the ends thereof, ground engaging support means mounted in depending relation -from said intermediate brace member supporting the housing for longitudinal earth traversing movement with said tunnel substantially aligned with the `direction of movement to permit passage of the stack therethrough for disposing the housing about successive stacks of boxes of sai-d raisins, a door hingably mounted on said frame members at one of said ends of the tunnel for movement between a tunnel closing position and an open position, means for imparting longitudinal earth traversin-g movement to the housing, a heat generator borne by the housing, and powered air circulating means borne by the housing between said heat generator and said tunnel for `directing a stream of drying air into the tunnel adjacent to the end provided with the door and through the passages between the stack of raisin boxes for discharge out the opposite end of the tunnel.

S. A mobile dehydrator for drying raisins in boxes stacked to provide elongated passages through the stacks between the boxes comprising a housing having a top, spaced depending sides, and an open bottom; a substantially imperforate interior wall disposed beneath the top in spaced substantially parallel relation thereto dening an upper heating compartment and a lower longitudinal tunnel between the sides having an air receiving end and van opposite air outlet end; a plurality of longitudinal-ly spaced interconnected inverted U-shaped braoe members disposed in individual planes transversely of the housing and rigidly connected thereto individually adjacent to said ends of the tunnel and intermediate the ends thereof; ground engaging support means mounted in depending relation from said intermediate brace member supporting the housing for longitudinal earth traversing movement with said tunnel substantially aligned with the direction of movement to permit passage of the stack therethrough for disposing the housing about successive stacks of boxes rof said raisins; a door hingably mounted on said brace members at said air receiving end of the tunnel for movement between a tunnel closing position and an open position; means imparting longitudinal earth traversing movement to the housing; a heat generator mounted in said upper heating compartment adjacent to said air outlet end of the tunnel; and a powered fan mounted in said heating compartment closely adjacent to said air receiving end of the tunnel for directing a stream of drying air into the tunnel and through the passages between the stack of raisin `boxes for discharge out of the air outlet end of the tunnel.

6. The mobile dehydrator of claim 5 in which said sides -of the housing have lower edges disposed in spaced substantially parallel relation to the ground, and closure means hingably connected to said lower edges for swinging movement between a raised position permitting unrestricted movement of the housing during said earth traversing movement between successive stacks of boxes, and a lower ground engaging position dependably to seal said tunnel to contain said stream of drying air therein when the housing is disposed about said stacks of boxes.

7. The mobile dehydrator of claim 6 wherein said closure means includes a plurality of iiaps of substantially flat rigid sheet material having lower edges of a different flexible material adapted to conform to irregularities in the ground.

8. The mobile dehydrator of claim 7 including a plurality of inwardly extended sealing flaps of flexible material individually secured to said sides and top of the housing within the tunnel to provide a restricted opening at said outlet end of the tunnel and including inner edges engageable in sealing relation with said stacks of boxes to confine said stream of drying air for movement through the passages between the boxes.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 104,333 6/1870 Mickel 34-195 489,168 1/1893 Sperl et al. 34-233 X 1,564,491 12/1925 Rees et al. 34-219 X 1,645,760 10/1927 Knipsch'ild 34-219 1,791,561 2/1931 Heyn etal 34-219 X 2,695,461 11/1954 Langley et al. 34-181 2,920,398 1/1960 Liljenstrom 34-219 X 3,036,382 5/1962 Shotton 34-219 X FREDERICK L. MATTESON, JR., Primary Examiner. C. R. REMKE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A MOBILE DEHYDRATOR FOR DRYING RASINS IN BOXES STACKED TO PROVIDE ELONGATED PASSAGES THROUGH THE STACK BETWEEN THE BOXES COMPRISING A HOUSING HAVING AN OPEN BOTTOM, OPPOSITE ENDS AND PROVIDING A LONGITUDINAL TUNNEL BETWEEN THE ENDS ADAPTED TO ENCOMPASS SAID STACK OF RASIN BOXES, GROUND ENGAGING SUPPORT MEANS MOUNTED ON THE HOUSING SUPPORTING THE SAME FOR LONGITUDINAL EARTH TRAVERSING MOVEMENT WITH SAID TUNNEL SUBSTANTIALLY ALIGNED WITH THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT TO PERMIT PASSAGE OF THE STACK THERETHROUGH FOR DISPOSING THE HOUSING ABOUT SUCCESSIVE STACKS OF SAID BOXES OF RAISINS, MEANS MOUNTED ON ONE END OF THE HOUSING FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A TUNNEL CLOSING POSITION AND AN OPEN POSITION, MEANS FOR IMPARTING LONGITUDINAL EARTH TRAVERSING MOVEMENT TO THE HOUSING, AND MEANS BORNE BY THE HOUSING FOR DIRECTING A STREAM OF DRYING AIR INTO THE TUNNEL ADJACENT TO ONE END OF THE HOUSING AND THROUGH THE PASSAGES BETWEEN THE STACK OF RAISIN BOXES FOR DISCHARGE OUT THE OPPOSITE END OF THE HOUSING. 